The Kedarnath temple history dates back to the times of Mahabharata. The legend has it that Pandavas, after killing their brothers in the battle of Kurukshetra, wanted to seek blessings of Lord Shiva to atone their sins. However, Lord Shiva constantly kept eluding them and kept fleeing from one place to another. During this time, he took the form of a bull and stayed in Kedarnath. While Pandavas followed him there, he made a dive towards the ground and left his hump there. This conical protrusion is worshipped as the idol. His other parts are worshipped at other places, arms at Tungnath, mouth at Rudranath, naval at Madmaheshwar and hair at Kalpeshwar. Together with Kedarnath these shrines are called Panch Kedar.
Pavan and I had to wake up at 2:30 in the morning as we lodged in an army guest house "SURYA KUNJ" arranged by Pavan's course mate Capt.Bupendra Tyagi. We got set by 4 o clock as our cab driver sonu was waiting for us.
The traffic on the hilly terrain is high to add to it they will allow only one vehicle to move on the edge of the route.Hence we almost waited like 2 hours in the car with out moving an inch. Sonu informed that we are 2 KM away from Gauri Kund the starting point of our trekking and advised us to start walking which will save a lot of time.
We started walking and we decided not to have any solid food till we have darshan. We reached Gauri Kund within no time and we passed through a narrow street which has small shops on either sides of it. I thought of buying a bronze ring as it is stated that we usually need to have the first glance of the "Shiva Linga" through a circular metal ring. We bought a small cover costing 20/- which would act as a rain coat as the weather is cloudy. We saw many people alighting on mules (as they locally call GHODA) couple of vendora pestered us if we want a mule to go uphill but both of us are determined to terk.
We bought two supporting sticks which has a pivoted metal strip attached for grip on the ground., we were on track suites. There is perpectually greenery on the either side of the shivaliks which really represented forests. There was no glance of snow or ice for the first few KMs of our travel.
The temples en route give the feeling of the divine presence and you begin to realise why the region is called the land of gods. A visit to the ancient temple of Kedarnath, set among the stunning mountainscape and renovated a number of times over the centuries, marks a spiritual fulfilment and an excellent trekking experience. The not so religious minded can opt for trekking experience only. The region has eight trekking routes that take you through some picturesque landscapes. However, there is no organized trekking here and so you will have to make your own arrangements.
I think it is a real shame to visit Kedarnath only for a few hours as it is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful settings possible anywhere in the world.
Watch the sunrise or sunset from the spot where Adi Shankracharya took his samadhi facing the extraordinary towering snow clad mountains almost jumping at you and see the changing colors of the snow - yellow ,pink , orange , purple. Walk up to the small grassy Bugyals awash with tiny flowers, in the surrounding mountains , the sheer beauty of which takes your breath away. Walk up to Gandhi sarovar where ashes of Gandhiji are scattered . Sit,watch and hear the gurgling string like Mandakini rush out from the bowels of the mountains . Read about the Mahabharatha / Pandavas mythology and legends relating to Kedarnath and get a sense of cosmic connection,peace and tranquility and feel closer to GOD.
Visiting the temple itself doesn't even scratch the surface of the Kedarnath experience. Same day return trips to Kedarnath is disrespect to the place.
We returned mounting mules as both of us are tiered and at last we saw our driver waiting for us at Gauri Kund. He safely dropped us at the guest house were we slept of early remembering the fact that we need to go to Badrinath the very next day.....
